Burnout among psychiatrists in Milan: a multicenter survey

This study evaluated the prevalence of job burnout and estimated psychiatric morbidity and job satisfaction among psychiatrists in Milan. Also investigated were the contributions of personal and environmental factors to burnout.

Data were gathered via a cross-sectional, descriptive, multicenter survey. All psychiatrists working in departments of psychiatry within the Italian Public Health System in Milan were invited to participate, and an overall response rate of 70% (N=81) was achieved. The Maslach Burnout Inventory, the 12-item General Health Questionnaire, a job satisfaction measure, and a study-specific questionnaire were used in the assessments.

Psychiatrists showed high levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Main sources of stress were related to work environment. According to regression models, the variable that most predicted burnout was a low level of job satisfaction.

Data suggested that psychiatrists had higher levels of burnout than other physicians employed in general medical settings and confirmed that job satisfaction could have a protective role.